Evaluation of Physicochemical and Microbiological Standards for Quality Packaged Drinking Water in Plastic Bags Produced by Three Companies in Korhogo in Northern Ivory Coast

Drinking water packaged in sachets is popular with the population of Korhogo in northern of Ivory Coast. The objective of this study is to evaluate the physicochemical and microbiological parameters of this water produced by three companies. Three packets of 40 sachets of water each were taken from each company and ten sachets of water were mixed to constitute the sample from each company. Physicochemical and microbiological analyzes were carried out according to ISO. Physicochemical parameters of water investigated were as follow: temperature (25.30±0.40 – 25.53±0.25), pH (7.37±0.06 – 7.67±0.23), bicarbonate (41±0.50 – 48.53±0.85 mg/L), chloride (4.34±0.03 - 8±0.43 mg/L), calcium (5.60±0.40 – 8.23±0.15 mg/L), magnesium (4.08±0.51 – 6.62±0.05 mg/L) and nitrates (0.59±0.02 – 0.83±0.03 mg/L). The results revealed that the physicochemical parameters of the water analyzed complied with WHO regulations. Concerning the microbiological parameters, results of the study are as follows: GAMs (22 °C) (6 – 113 CFU/mL), GAMs (37 °C) (6 – 89 CFU/mL), total coliforms (0 – 1100 CFU/100 mL), fecal coliforms (0 – 1100 CFU/mL), ASR (0 CFU/100 mL), S. aureus (190 – 310 CFU/100 mL) and streptococci fecal (0 – 3100 CFU/100 mL). These waters do not comply with the regulations and sample B is more loaded with microorganisms followed by sample C and finally A. However, no salmonella was identified in the samples analyzed. Consumption of this water exposes populations to health risks. It would be desirable to raise awareness among companies about hygiene conditions and employee training in order to reduce these risks.